Oct. 29, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gamecock freshman Hannah Lawing picked up her first Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor, the league office announced Monday, after helping South Carolina to a victory over LSU on Sunday.

Lawing had a team-leading 42 digs on the weekend, including a career-high 25 in the five-game triumph over the Tigers. She also added three blocks during the win. In game five alone, Lawing added four digs, assisting the team to a 15-10 win in the decisive frame. She also had 17 digs and was perfect on serve receptions in the Mississippi contest. For the season, the Marietta, Ga., native stands third on the squad with 2.83 digs a game while ranking seventh in kills per frame.

Lawing follows fellow rookie Megan Laughlin as SEC award winners this season. Laughlin captured the SEC Freshman of the Week award on Oct. 8. Lawing is also the first SEC Defensive Player of the Week from Carolina since 2004, when Lauren Ford was selected for the accolade.

The SEC also honored Florida setter Angie McGinnis as its Offensive Player of the Week and Kentucky’s Sarah Mendoza as the Freshman of the Week.

South Carolina hosts nationally ranked Florida on Wed., Oct. 31 before welcoming Arkansas to the Volleyball Competition Facility for a match on Fri., Nov. 2. Both contests are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and can be watched live on GamecocksOnline.com All-Access service.